Situated in the Shandong Province of East China, the city of Qufu is the birthplace and hometown of the iconic philosopher Confucius. Known as one of the forefathers of modern China, the sage’s renown is known world-over; the city, filled with wonderful sites relating to the man, attracts interest from all corners of the globe. The must-see attractions, which are all UNESCO-listed, are the luxurious, maze-like Confucius Mansion; the Confucius Forest or Cemetary, a gorgeous pine and cypress park filled with monuments; and the grand Temple of Confucius, the country’s largest imperial building after the Forbidden City, filled with important texts and stone reliefs. Visitors may also enjoy strolling around the moat at night time when the city walls are decorated with lights.